Cruise Ship Cabins

What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship? Which cruise ship cabins to avoid? What are the best cabin locations on a cruise ship? What are the amenities offered, what is the average price (rates) - what is what!

Cruise ship cabins are often referred to as cruise staterooms or cruise accommodations. Their furnishings can range from "comfy" to "luxurious", the cheapest tend to be smaller than an ordinary budget hotel room, while the largest of them rival many land based luxury resort suites - both as sizes and amenities, but mostly as prices. As to the prices - they range widely, determined by the cabin type, size and location, the line's and ship's ratings, destination and season, itinerary, travel agency, inclusions and bonuses, etc.

the 3 basic types of cruise ship cabins

Inside/Interior cabins are located on an inside hallway, they are without a window, and are the cheapest accommodations on the ship. On some of the newest cruise ships there are cabins with virtual windows - they show real-time data from the ship's webcams outside.

OceanView/Outside cabin - has a large picture window or a port-hole window (especially on older ships). Could be full-view or partially/fully obstructed by a lifeboat.

Balcony cabins (Suites included by default) differ greatly as to class, size and location. An "obstructed view balcony" means a balconied stateroom partially obscured by lifeboats or other objects protruding from the ship's hull.

On big ships you'll find a number of cabin categories within each cabin type. This is according to location, size, features, quality of view, etc. Cabin rates vary not only by type and size, but also by category. For a particular cabin type, brochure/online prices usually apply to the lowest category. In your cabin every square inch is usable since the price of ships is generally determined by the number of their beds/berths. So luggage fits under the bed, while the items you unpack will be stored in closets and drawers.

which cruise ship cabins to avoid

After analyzing their deck plans, we'll list here the most famous ships and their "worst" cabins. The "bad cruise cabins" issue is not about amenities, but location - and noise. Cabins located nearby the ships' elevators or with some public areas above (restaurants, bars/clubs, kids areas), or near public bathrooms may present some noise concern during the day or late at night. The following table also shows the total number of cabins by ship and category (Inside, Outside, Balcony & Suite).

what does a cruise ship cabin look like (details/amenities)

All cabins have twin beds, usually convertible to create a queen bed, while suites may have king-sized beds. Family cabins may also have pull-down or bunk-beds (loft beds attached to the wall), sleeper sofa or an additional twin bed.

All have a small safe to lock in it all valuables while on board (passports, credit cards and cash, fine jewelry, iPads), at least 1 large wall-mounted mirror, individually controlled air conditioning.

All have private bathrooms with showers, basic bathroom amenities (typical for a motel, including a hairdryer), ship toilets operate by power suction.

All have a phone (wake-up call option, synchronized to ship's time). Nowadays all ship cabins also feature a flat TV and a DVD player, a mini-bar and a small refrigerator (cans and bottles for sale; if you bring your own drinks, ask the steward to empty it first).

All have a reach-in closet, a shelf for life-vests, storage drawers (suites usually have walk-in closets with several shelves). Higher categories cabins also have a desk with a chair.

Power outlets are minimized to avoid fire risk. Near the bed (and the desk) there are 1 or 2 low-wattage (120V 60Hz) outlets for laptops.

A good cruise travel agent could be of a great assistance to you (using an agency services is highly recommended for first timers) guiding you through all the grades and cabin codes for the nuances of features, best locations and the best-worst cabins on a particular ship. This article is partially integrated with (here's our surprise) cruise cabin cost or the big money ship cabins cost to be build! Then you'll know for how much exactly you "rent" your "sea room" as a percentage of its total cost.